Combination container closure and pouring device



Oct. 23, 1962 o. GOLDSTElN 3,059,816

COMBINATION CONTAINER CLOSURE AND POURING DEVICE Filed Feb. 19, 1957 6Sheets-Sheet 5 4 9 25s a: I. 25 230/ 4,235 [240 INVENTOR za/ DAN/ELsows-mm 23. V 230 BY ATTORNEYS itri t *htice 3,059,816 COMBINATIONCONTAINER CLOSURE AND POG DEVICE Daniel Goldstein, New York, N.Y.,assignor to Schenley Industries, inc, New York, N.Y., a corporation ofDelaware Filed Feb. 19, 1957, Ser. No. 641,196 16 Claims. (Cl. 222109)This invention relates to the shipping, storage and dispensing of fluentmaterials and more particularly to a combination container closure andpouring device which facilitates dispensing the contents of thecontainer and, at the same time, provides for proper sealing thereof, inorder to protect the contents during periods between dispensing thereof.

Heretofore, many different types of container closures and pouringdevices have been proposed and utilized, but many of these were notentirely satisfactory, due to the fact, that undue drippage occurred andfurthermore, the same did not adequately seal the container duringperiods between dispensing operations. Furthermore, many of these priorart devices did not provide for a proper cutoff of the material beingdispensed when the container was moved from a dispensing position to anupright position, with the result that the liquid or other materialbeing dispensed was spilled or Wasted, which resulted in increasing thecost of the material and at the same time, introduced a sanitary problemin keeping the surface of the container and label as well as the area orsurfaces utilized for dispensing in a clean and dry condition.

Prior art devices for facilitating the pouring or dispensing ofmaterials, such as a liquid, from a bottle or other container werefrequently provided with elongated vent tubes extending from the devicea substantial distance into the bottle or container and such vent tubesextended a substantial distance beyond the confines of the pouringdevice and container closure, with the result that the same could not beautomatically applied to the bottle or container, since this operationis normally performed by tumbling the closures and pouring devices inorder to orient the same preparatory to feeding to a capping machine,with the result that closures and pouring devices of this nature wereapplied manually to the bottles or containers thereby materiallyincreasing the cost of production. Previously used pouring devices andcontainer closures were frequently made in two parts, or as a separatebottle cap and pouring device, one part being applied to the bottle orother container and the other part constituting a separable cap forclosing the pouring device when the same was not in use. This structurefrequently resulted in loss of the cap with the result that the entiredevice was rendered substantially useless. Furthermore, the majority ofthese prior art container closures and pouring devices were formed of asubstantially rigid or hard material which necessitated providing agasket or other sealing device within the closure in order to provide aproper seal with the container to prevent leakage of liquid or othermaterial therefrom. The necessity for providing such gaskets or othersealing means further increased the cost of production of such prior artdevices.

The prior art devices of this nature did not provide a combinationcontainer closure and pouring device and consequently, the provision ofsuch a device materially reduces the cost of manufacture, since the samemay be formed in a single molding operation and applied to the containeras a single unit by automatic machinery.

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide acombination container closure and pouring device which may beconveniently and economically manufactured from readily availablematerials and which may be applied to a bottle or other container byautomatic machinery.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a combinationcontainer closure and pouring device which provides a vent for admittingair to the interior of the container and a pouring opening provided withcutoff means to prevent drippage of the material being dispensed.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of acombination container closure and pouring device provided with cutotr'means for preventing drippage of liquid or other material beingdispensed and further provided with means for returning residual liquidor material to the container.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a combinationcontainer closure and pouring device provided with a body for attachmentto the bottle or other container and intergrally connected cap means forclosing the pouring device upon completion of a dispensing operation.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a combinationcontainer closure and pouring device which may be manufactured fromyieldable material thereby providing a seal between the device and thecontainer to prevent leakage of the contents thereof.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of acombination container closure and pouring device provided with means fordirecting a stream of material to be dispensed in a desired direction,

Another object of the invention is the provision of a combinationcontainer closure and pouring device incorporating a body for attachmentto a bottle or other container, with the body being provided with a ventopening and a dispensing opening and a cap hingedly mounted on the bodyand provided with means for sealing both the vent opening and thepouring opening.

body and with valve means for opening and closing a dispensing tubeattached to the body.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of acombination container closure and pouring device including a body forattachment to a bottle or other container, the body being provided witha vent opening and a pouring spout, the spout being so formed as tocreate a vacuum to draw back liquid upon completion of the pouringoperation thereby preventing drippage.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a combinationcontainer closure and pouring device provided with a body attachment tothe bottle or other container and cap means movably connected to thebody for closing the pouring device upon completion of a dispensingoperation, the structure being such as to permit one hand operation ofthe cap to open or close the same.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparentfrom thefollowing description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawingwherein:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a combination container closure and pouringdevice constructed in accordance with this invention and with the devicein closed position;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 a top plan view of the device shown in FIG. 1 and with the cap inopen position;

FIG. 4 a longitudinal sectional view of the device shown in FIG. 1, withthe cap in open dispensing position;

FIG. 5 a sectional view similar to FIG. 4, and with the cap in closedsealing position;

FIG. 6 a longitudinal sectional view of a modified form of the inventionhaving an open ended dispensing tube;

FIG. 7 a sectional view similar to FIG. 6, with the cap in closedsealing position;

FIG. 8 a longitudinal sectional view of a further modified form of theinvention having a dispensing tube closed at the upper end with adispensing opening at the side thereof and with the cap is opendispensing position;

FIG. 9 a sectional view similar to FIG. 8, with the cap in closedsealing position;

FIG. 10 a longitudinal sectional view of another modified form of theinvention having a pouring spout with a curved hood at the upper endthereof and showing the cap in open dispensing position;

FIG. 11 a sectional view similar to FIG. 10, with the cap in closedsealing position;

FIG. 12 a longitudinal sectional view of a still further modified formof the invention having an internal vent tube and an internal dispensingtube with the cap in open dispensing position;

FIG. 13 a sectional view similar to FIG. 12 with the cap in closedsealing position;

FIG. 14 a longitudinal sectional view of another modified form of theinvention having a pouring spout open at the upper end and with adispensing opening in the front sidewall thereof and showing the cap andtubular valve member depending therefrom in position prior to assemblywith the pouring spout;

FIG. 15 a sectional View similar to FIG. 14, but showing the cap inclosed sealing position and with the tubular valve member inserted inthe pouring spout and in position to close the dispensing opening;

FIG. 16 a sectional view similar to FIG. 15, but showing the cap in opendispensing position and with the tubular valve member in position toopen the dispensing aperture;

FIG. 17 a longitudinal sectional view similar to FIG. 16 but showing amodified form of means for preventing outward movement of the cap andtubular valve member beyond a predetermined point;

FIG. 18 a sectional view similar to FIG. 15 and showing the cap andtubular Valve member in closed sealing position;

FIG. 19 a longitudinal sectional view showing a modified form of hingemeans for connecting the cap to the body of the closure and pouringdevice;

FIG. 20 a fragmentary top plan view of the modified form of hinge meansshown in FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 a longitudinal sectional view of another modified form of theinvention showing a body incorporating a vent opening and a pouringspout, together with a sealing cap threadedly received on the body andwith the cap removed for dispensing operations;

FIG. 22 a sectional view similar to FIG. 21, and showing the cap inclosed sealing position;

FIG. 23 a longitudinal sectional view of a still further modified formof the invention showing a hooded pouring spout together with means forfacilitating sealing of the spout upon completion of a dispensingoperation and with the cap in open dispensing position;

FIG. 24 a longitudinal sectional view similar to FIG. 23, and showingthe cap in closed sealing position;

FIG. 25 an exploded longitudinal sectional view showing a dispensingdevice and the upper end of a container, together with means forpreventing inadvertent movement of the pouring device with relation tothe container;

FIG. 26 a view showing the pouring device of FIG. 25 applied to thecontainer and locked in place against inadvertent movement with respectthereto;

FIG. 27 a longitudinal sectional view of one form of the inventionincorporating a modified form of hooded pouring spout having a cutolfgroove and with the cap in open dispensing position;

FIG. 28 a view similar to FIG. 27, with the cap in closed sealingposition;

FIG. 29 a fragmentary top plan view showing the contour of the hoodedspout of FIG. 27;

FIG. 30 a longitudinal sectional view of one form of the inventionincorporating a further modified form of hooded pouring spout having acutoff groove and with the cap in open dispensing position;

FIG. 31 a view similar to FIG. 27 with the cap in closed sealingposition;

FIG. 32 a fragmentary top plan view showing the contour of the hoodedspout of FIG. 30;

FIG. 33 a longitudinal sectional view of a still further modified formof the invention with the cap in open dispensing position; and

FIG. 34 a sectional view similar to FIG. 33 with the cap in closedsealing position.

With continued reference to the drawing, there is shown in FIGS. 1 to 5a combination container closure and pouring device constructed inaccordance with this inven tion and which may well comprise a generallycylindrical hollow body 10 formed of a yieldable material, such as asuitable plastic, but, of course, if desired, such body may be made ofany other suitable material. The body 10 is provided with a skirtportion 11 having internal threads 12 therein which may engagecomplementary threads on the neck of a bottle or other container andadjacent the upper end of the skirt portion 11 is an internal annularshoulder 13 which serves to engage the upper end of the neck of a bottleor other container to provide a seal therebetween and prevent leakage ofthe contents.

The upper portion 14 of the body 10 is reduced in diameter, and spacedinwardly from the upper end of the body 10 is a transverse partition 15.The partition 15 is provided at the rear thereof adjacent the sidewallof the upper portion 14 of the body 10 with a relatively small ventopening 16 and also provided in the partition 15 at the forward sidethereof adjacent the sidewall of the upper portion 14 of the body 10 andopposite the vent opening 16, a relatively large pouring opening 17. Itis to be noted, that the upper surface 18 of the partition 15 isinclined from the sidewall of the upper portion 14 of the body 10 towardthe vent opening 16.

Provided on the upper end of the upper portion 14 of the body 10 is aneccentric flange 19 and as best shown in FIG. 3, the ends Ztl of theflange 19 merge into the upper portion 14 of the pouring opening 17. Theupper surface 21 of the flange 19 and the upper end of the portion 14 isformed with a fiat bevel inclined downwardly and inwardly toward theupper surface 18 of the partition 15. The outer edge of the flange 19provides a pouring lip having a sharp edge and spaced below this lip ina relatively short distance, is an inwardly extending eccentric shoulder22 which provides for cutoff of material being poured and preventsdrippage thereof when the bottle or other container is returned toupright position. Disposed at the lower side of the flange 19 below theshoulder 22 and adjacent the upper portion 14 of the body 10 is anoutwardly extending eccentric shoulder 23, the purpose of which will belater described.

A hollow cap 24 having a top wall 25 and a sidewall 26 is hingedlysecured to the body 10 by an integral flexible strap 27 which permitsswinging movement of the cap 24 with relation to the body 10. Dependingfrom the top wall 25 of the cap 24 is a plug 28 to be received in thevent opening 16 when the cap 24 is in closed position to close such ventopening and also depending from the top wall 25 of the cap 24 is a plug29 to be received in the pouring opening 17 to close the same when thecap 24 is in closed position. If desired, the plugs 28 and 29 may betapered or rounded at their lower ends to facilitate insertion in thevent opening 16 and pouring opening 17.

The sidewall 26 of the cap 24 is provided with an in wardly openingeccentric recess 30 to receive the eccentric shOulder 23 on the upperportion 14 of the body when the cap 24 is in closed position and, asclearly shown in FIG. 5, this will serve to releasably hold the cap 24in closed position. In order to facilitate manipulation of the cap 24,there may be provided an outwardly extending finger engaging projection31 on the front surface of the sidewall 26.

In operation, it is only necessary to open the cap 24 by exerting anupward pressure on the finger engaging projection 31 which, due to theyieldability of the material, will result in disengaging the recess 30from the shoulder 23 and thereafter liquid or other material may bedispensed through the pouring opening 17 and the sharp edge of thepouring lip 19, together with the shoulder 22 will serve to cutoff theflow of liquid when the container is tilted to a vertical position andany liquid remaining within th flange 19 will flow down- Wardly to thevent opening 16 and into the container by reason of the inclination ofthe upper surface 18 of the partition 15.

While the yieldable quality of the body 10 will provide an adequate sealbetween the shoulder 13 and the upper end of a container, if the bodyit) is made of relatively rigid or hard material, a suitable sealinggasket, not shown, may be applied to the shoulder 13- and will engagethe upper end of the container to provide an adequate seal.

A modified form of the invention is shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 in which agenerally cylindrical hollow body 32 is provided with a skirt portion 33having internal threads 34 therein to engage the neck of a bottle orother container and also provided with a shoulder 35 for engaging theupper end of such bottle or container to provide an adequate seal andprevent leakage of the contents. The upper portion 36 of the body 32 isreduced in diameter, and spaced inwardly from the upper end, is atransverse partition 37. A tube 38 extends inwardly from the partition37 below a vent opening 39 provided in such partition and a tapered bore46 in the tube 38 in alignment with the vent opening 39' provides anopening 41 at the inner end substantially smaller than the vent opening39. Provided at the forward side of the partition 37 adjacent thesidewall of the upper portion 36 of the body 32 is a pouring opening 42and extending upwardly from the partition 37 in alignment with thepouring opening 42 is a pouring spout 43 which is open at the upper end.As described above, the upper surface 44 of the partition 37 is inclinedfrom the sidewall of the upper portion 36 of the body 32 toward the ventopening 39.

Provided on the upper edge of the upper portion 36 of the body 32 at thefront thereof, adjacent the pouring spout 43 is an outwardly extendingeccentric flange 45 and the upper surface 46 of the flange 45 is formedwith a flat bevel inclined downwardly toward the surface 44. The outeredge of the flange 45 provides a lip having a sharp edge and spacedbelow this lip a relatively short distance is an inwardly extendingeccentric shoulder 47 which, together with the lip provides for cutoffof material which may dribble over the edge of the spout 43 and contactthe flange 45.

Disposed below the flange 45 is an eccentric shoulder 48, the purpose ofwhich will presently appear.

A hollow cap 49 having a top wall 50 and a sidewall 51 is hingedlymounted on the body 32 by an integral flexible strap 52 and such strap52 permits swinging move ment of the cap 49 with relation to the body32. Depending from the top wall 50 of the cap 49 is a tapered plug 53 tobe received in the vent opening 39 and tapered bore 40 to close the samewhen the cap 49 is in closed position and also depending from the topwall 50 of the cap 49 is a plug 54 to be received in the pouring spout43, as clearly shown in FIG. 7, to close the same and prevent leakage ofthe contents of the container to which the device is attached. Aneccentric recess 55 is provided in the sidewall 51 of the cap 49 and asshown in FIG. 7, when the cap 49 is in closed position, the recess 55serves to receive the shoulder 48 and reieasably look the cap 49 inclosed position. In order to facilitate manipulation of the cap 49, afinger engaging projection 56 may be provided on the sidewall 51.

In operation, liquid or other material in the container will bedispensed through the pouring spout 43 with the upper edge thereofserving to cutoff the flow of liquid when the container is tilted to avertical position and any drippage will flow downwardly toward the ventopening 39 and into the container, due to the inclination of the uppersurface 44 of the partition 37. It is also to be noted, that the taperedformation of the bore 40 in alignment with the vent opening 39 serves toprevent flow of liquid or other material through the vent opening, sincethe inner opening 41 is substantially smaller than the vent opening 39and consequently, the surface tension of the liquid being dispensed willprevent flow thereof through the vent opening. Also, this formation ofthe vent opening and bore serves to provide a relatively large volume ofair toward the outer end of the bore 40, which air will rush into thecontainer to break the vacuum therein upon dispensing of the contentsand this feature will further prevent flow of liquid or other materialthrough the vent opening.

A further modified form of the invention is shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 andin this form of the invention there is provided a generally cylindricalhollow body 57 similar to those described above, and the body 57 isprovided with a skirt 58 having internal screw threads 59 foreengagingthe neck of a bottle or other container and a shoulder 60 is providedfor engaging the end of the bottle neck or other container to provide aseal therebetween and prevent leakage of the contents of the container.The upper portion 61 of the body 57 is reduced in diameter and spacedinwardly from the upper end is a partition 62. A tube 63 extendsinwardly from the partition 62 below a vent opening 64 provided in thepartition 62 and a tapered bore 65 is provided in the tube 63 inalignment with the vent opening 64. The opening 66 at the inner end ofthe bore 65 is substantially smaller than the vent opening 64 andoperates to prevent passage of liquid or other material being dispensedtherethrough in the same manner as that described above.

A relatively large pouring opening 67 is provided in the partition 62adjacent the sidewall of the upper portion 61 of the body 57 oppositethe vent opening 64 and extending upwardly from the partition 62 andintegral therewith is a dispensing or pouring spout 68 in alignment withthe pouring opening 67 and closed at the upper end 69. A dispensingaperture 7%; is provided in the front wall of the pouring spout 68.

Provided on the upper end of the reduced portion 61 of the body 57 atthe front thereof, is an outwardly extending eccentric flange 71, theupper surface 72 of which is formed with a flat bevel inclineddownwardly and inwardly toward the partition 62. The flange 71 providesa lip having a sharp edge and spaced below the lip is an eccentricshoulder 73 which operates in the same manner as that described above.The upper surface '74 of the partition 62 is inclined from the sidewallof the upper portion 61 of the body 57 toward the vent opening 64 andwill serve to direct any liquid spilled from the pouring operationtoward the vent 64 and through the bore 65 into the bottle or containerto which the device is attached.

A cap 75 is provided with a top wall 76 and a sidewall 77 and the cap 75is hingedly attached to the body 57 by an integral flexible strap 78which serves to permit swinging movement between the cap 75 and the body57.

Depending from the top wall 76 of the'cap 75 is a tapered plug 79 whichis received in the vent opening 64 and bore 65' in the tube 63 to closethe same when the cap is in closed position and also depending from thetop wall 76 of the cap 75, is a sleeve 80 which, as shown in FIG. 9, istightly received over the pouring spout 68 and serves to close thedispensing aperture 79 and prevent leakage of liquid from the bottle orcontainer to which the device is applied. The lower end of the sleeve 89may be beveled, as shown at 81, in order to facilitate passage of thesame over the upper end of the pouring spout 68.

The sidewall 77 of the cap '75 is provided with an internal eccentricrecess 82 which serves to receive a shoulder 83 provided on the upperportion 61 of the body 57 below the eccentric flange 71. As shown inFIG. 9, this serves to releasably lock the cap '75 in closed position onthe body 57. In order to facilitate manipulation of the cap 75, theremay be provided an outwardly extending finger engaging projection 84 onthe sidewall 77.

The form of the invention shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 operates in much thesame manner as that described above, except that upon tilting of thebottle or other container to dispense material therefrom, such materialis directed toward the side through the dispensing aperture 7t? and anydrippage will be caught by the flange 71 and returned to the ventopening 64 by reason of the inelination of the upper surface 74 of thepartition 62, such material flowing through the bore 65 into the bottleor other container.

LA still further modified form of the invention is shown in 'FIGS. and 11 in which there is provided a generally cylindrical hollow body 85having a skirt 86 provided with internal screw threads 87 for engaging abottle or other container to secure the device thereto and also providedon the body 35 is a shoulder 88 for engaging the upper end of the bottleor other container to seal the same and prevent leakage of the contentsthereof. The upper portion 39 of the body 85 is reduced in diameter andspaced inwardly from the upper end is a transverse partition 90. Locatedat one side of the partition 90 adjacent the sidewall of the upperportion 89 is a vent opening 91 in a tube 92 having a tapered bore 93therein in alignment with the vent opening 91. The opening 94 at theinner end of the bore 93 is substantially smaller than the vent opening91 which serves .to prevent outward flow of liquid from the container towhich the device is attached in the manner described above.

A relatively large pouring opening 95 is provided in the partition 90adjacent the sidewall of the upper portion 39 of the body 85 oppositethe vent opening 91 and extending upwardly from the partition 99 inalignment with the pouring opening 95 is a pouring spout 96. Spout 96 isprovided with a curved hood 97 at the upper end and the front wall 93 ofthe spout 96 and a portion of the hood 97 is cut away, as shown at 99,in order to provide a dispensing aperture with the hood serving todivert the flow of material being dispensed to provide a dispensingaperture. Surrounding the dispensing aperture provided by the cut awayportion 99 and spaced therefrom is a groove 98 which, together with theridge 99 serves to sharply cut off flow of material being dispensed whenthe bottle or other container is returned from dispensing to uprightposition.

Provided on the upper end of the reduced portion 89 of the body 35 atthe front thereof, is an outwardly extending eccentric flange 191i andthe upper surface 191 of the flange 199 is formed with a fiat bevelinclined downwardly and inwardly toward the partition 90. The flange 109provides a lip having a sharp edge and spaced below the lip is aneccentric shoulder 192 which operates in the same manner as thatdescribed above. Disposed below the flange 1109 is a shoulder 103, thepurpose of which will presently appear. The upper surface 104 of thepartition 99 is inclined from the sidewall of the upper portion 89 ofthe body 85 toward the vent opening 91, in order to direct any spilledliquid toward such vent opening and permit return of the same throughthe bore 93 to the bottle or other container to which the device isattached.

A hollow cap 195 is provided with a top wall 106 and a sidewall i197 andthe cap 195 is hingedly secured to: the body 85. Depending from the topwall i106 of the cap 195 is a tapered plug 199 which, as shown in FIG.11, is received in the vent opening 91 and tapered bore- 93 to close thesame when the cap 195 is in closed position and also depending from thetop wall 106 of the cap 195 is a sleeve 1 19 which, as shown in FIG.11,. tightly engages the pouring spout 96 when the cap is in closedposition to close the dispensing aperture in the spout 96. The lower endof the sleeve 110 may be beveled, as at 111, to facilitate passage ofthe same over the pouring spout 96 during closing movement of the cap d15,

Provided on the inner surface of the sidewall 107 of the cap 195 is aneccentric recess 112, which, as shown in FIG. 11, receives the eccentricshoulder 103 on the upper portion 89 of the body 85 to releasably lockthe cap 195 in closed position. In order to facilitate manipulation ofthe cap 195, there may be provided an outwardly extending projection 113on the sidewall 107.

The form of the invention shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 operates insubstantially the same manner as that described above in connection withthe other forms of the invention.

A still further modified form of the invention is shown in FIGS. 12 and13 in which there is provided a generally cylindrical hollow body 114having a skirt 1115 on the inner surface of which is provided threads.116 for engaging the neck of a bottle or other container to secure thedevice thereto and also provided in the body 114 is a shoulder 117 forengaging the upper end of the bottle or other container to seal the sameand prevent leakage of contents therefrom.

The upper portion 118 of the body 114 is reduced in diameter and spacedinwardly from the upper end of the upper portion 118 is a transversepartition 119. Provided in the partition 119 at the rear adjacent thesidewall of the upper portion 118 of the body 114 is a vent opening 129and disposed below the vent opening 120 is an inwardly extending tube121 having a tapered bore 122 therein in alignment with the vent opening120- and the opening 123 at the inner end of the bore :122 issubstantially smaller than the vent opening 120 in order to preventoutward flow of liquid in the manner described above. A boss 124 extendsinwardly from the partition 119 opposite the tube 121 and in alignmentwith :a relatively large pouring opening 125 provided in the partition119 and a bore 126 in the boss 124 provides, in effect, an inwardlyextending pouring spout.

An outwardly extending eccentric flange 127 is provided at the upper endof the upper portion 118 of the body 114 at the front thereof and theupper surface 128 of the flange 127 is formed with a flat bevel inclineddownwardly and inwardly toward the partition 119. The flange 127provides a lip having a sharp edge and spaced below the lip is aneccentric shoulder 129 which operates in the same manner as thatdescribed above. Disposed below the flange 127 is an eccentric shoulder130, the purpose of which will be presently described. The upper surface131 of the partition 119 is inclined from the sidewall of the upperportion 113 of the body 114 toward the vent opening 129, in order todirect liquid or other material being dispensed back into the containerthrough the vent opening 120 and tapered bore 122.

A hollow cap 132 is provided with a top wall 133 and a sidewall 134 andthe cap 132 is hingedly attached to the body 114 by an integral strap135 which serves to permit swinging movement of cap 132 with relation tothe body 114. Depending from the top wall 133 of the cap 132 is atapered plug 136 which, as shown in FIG. 13, is received in the ventopening 129 and tapered bore 122 to close the same when the cap is inclosed position and also depending from top wall 133 of cap 132 is aplug 137 which, as shown in FIG. 13 is received in the pouring opening125 and bore 126 is to close the same when the cap 132 is in closedposition.

The sidewall 134 of the cap 132 is provided with an internal eccentricrecess 138 which, as shown in FIG. 13, serves to receive the eccentricshoulder 131) on the upper portion 118 of the body 114 when the cap 132is in closed position thereby releasably holding the cap in suchposition. In order to facilitate manipulation of the cap 132 there maybe provided a finger engaging projection 139 on the sidewall 134.

The form of the invention shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 operates insubstantially the same manner as those described above, except that thesharp edge of the eccentric flange 127, together with the shoulder 129provides a pouring lip which serves to cutoff the flow of liquid orother material when the container is tilted to a vertical position andthe material remaining within the confines of the flange 127 flows tothe vent opening 120, by reason of the inclination of the upper surface121 of the partition 119 and through the tapered bore 122 into thebottle or container to which the device is attached.

Another modified form of the invention is shown in FIGS. 14, and 16 inwhich there is provided a generally cylindrical hollow body 140 providedwith a skirt 141 having internal screw threads 142 to facilitateattachment thereof to the neck of a bottle or other container and ashoulder 143 is provided in the body 140 for engaging the upper end ofthe bottle or other container to seal the same and prevent leakage ofthe contents. The upper portion 144 of the body 14 0 is reduced indiameter and spaced inwardly from the upper end of the upper portion 144is a transverse partition 145. A vent opening 146 is provided in oneside of the partition 145 adjacent the sidewall of the upper portion 144of the body 140 and extending inwardly below the vent opening 146 is atube 147 having a tapered bore 14% therein in alignment with the ventopening 146. The inner opening 149 of the bore 143 is substantiallysmaller than the vent opening 146 in order to prevent outward flow ofQiquid or other material, in the manner described above.

A pouring opening 150 is provided in the partition 145 adjacent thesidewall of the upper portion 144 of the body 1411 opposite the ventopening 146 and extending upwardly from the pouring opening 151) is apouring spout 151 open at the upper end. The spout 151 is provided witha dispensing aperture 152 in the front wall thereof and it is to benoted, that as clearly shown in FIG. 14, the spout 151 is inclinedrearwardly for a purpose to be presently described.

The upper end of the reduced portion 144 of the body 1411 is provided atthe front thereof with an outwardly extending eccentric flange 153 andthe upper surface 154 of the flange 153 is formed with a flat bevelinclined downwardly and inwardly toward the partition 145. The flange153 provides a lip having a sharp edge and spaced below the lip is aneccentric shoulder 155 which operates in the same manner as thatdescribed above. Disposed below the flange 153 is an eccentric shoulder156, the purpose of which will be presently described. It is also to benoted, that the upper surface 157 of the partition 145 is inclined fromthe sidewall of the upper portion 144 of the body 1411 toward the ventopening 146, in order to direct liquid or other material to such ventopening and through the tapered bore 148 into the bottle or othercontainer to which the device is attached.

A hollow cap 158 is provided with a top wall 159' and a sidewall 160 andthe cap 158 is hingedly attached to the body 146 by an integral strap161 which permits swinging movement of the cap 158 with relation to thebody 141 Depending from the top Wall 149 of the cap 148 is a taperedplug 162, which, as shown in FIG. 15, is received in the vent opening146 and tapered bore 143 to close the same when the cap 158 is a tubularvalve member 163 which, as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, is slidablyreceived within the pouring spout 151. The tubular valve member 163 isprovided with an opening 164 in the sidewall thereof, which in thedispensing position, as shown in FIG. 16, registers with the dispensingaperture 152 in the spout 151. Consequently, in this position, liquid orother material will flow through the interior of the valve member 163and through the opening 164- and the dispensing aperture 152 in thespout 151. The tubular valve member 163 is provided adjacent the lowerend thereof with a plurality of outwardly extending fingers 165 which,as shown in FIG. 16, engage the lower surface 166 of the partition toprevent outward movement of the cap 158 and valve member 163 beyond apoint where the opening 164 registers with the dispensing aperture 152.In order to permit assembly of the valve member 163 through the pouringspout 151, the wall of the valve member 163 opposite the fingers may beprovided with recesses 167 which serve to receive the fingers 165 duringinsertion of the valve member through the pouring spout 151 andthereafter the fingers 165 spring outwardly to the position shown inFIGS. 15 and 16.

While the passage in the tubular valve member 163 is shown asterminating in a curved end 167' adjacent the opening 164 to, in effect,provide a hood, it is to be understood, that the passage may extend theentire length of the valve member 163 or may terminate in a flat end asdesired.

An eccentric internal recess 168 is provided in the sidewall 16@ of thecap 158 and the recess 168 serves to receive the eccentric shoulder 156on the body 141, as shown in FIG. 15, to releasably retain the cap 158in closed position. In order to facilitate manipulation of the cap 158,there may be provided an outwardly extending finger engaging projection169 on the sidewall 160.

The form of the invention shown in FIGS. 17 and 18 is substantiallyidentical with that described above in connection with FIGS. 14, 15 and16, except that the outwardly extending fingers 165 at the lower end ofthe tubular valve member 163 are replaced by an outwardly extendingannular flange 170 which may be formed on the lower end of the tubularvalve member 163 after insertion of the same through the pouring spout151, or, of course, the flange 1711 may comprise a separate memberattached to the lower end of the tubular valve member 163 in any desiredmanner. However, the most convenient way of providing the flange 1711 isto utilize a heated die to form the lower end of the tubular valvemember 63 in the manner shown in FIGS. 17 and 18. Aside from thisfeature, the form of the invention shown in FIGS. 17 and 18 isconstructed and operates in the same way as the form of the inventionshown in FIGS. 14, 15 and 16.

FIGS. 19 and 20 show a. variation in the type of hinge connectionbetween the cap and the body of the device and while this hingeconnection may be utilized with any of the forms of the invention shownand described herein, for purposes of illustration only, the hingestructure is shown in connection with the form of the inventionpreviously described and shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. Consequently, likereference numerals will be utilized for designating like parts in FIGS.19 and 20. In FIGS. 8 and 9, the hinge strap 78 connecting the cap 75and the body 57 is of flexible material, but in FIGS. 19 and 20, thestrap 171 connecting the cap 75 and the body 57 is of flexible orsubstantially rigid material and is secured at one end to the cap 75.The opposite end of the strap 171 is provided with oppositely extendingprojections 172 and the body 57 is provided with spaced outwardlyextending ears 173 having opposed recesses 174 for pivotally receivingthe projections 172 on the strap 171. Consequently, it will be seen thatthe strap 171, together with the pivotal mounting thereof provides ahinge connection between the cap 75 and the body 57. It is onlynecessary to utilize this form of hinge connection where the cap 75 andbody 57 cannot both be formed of a material sufficiently flexible, suchthat the integral strap connecting the cap and body will permit suitableswinging movement.

The form of invention shown in FIGS. 21 and 22 deals primarily with thetype of cap employed and the manner of securing the same to the body ofthe device and, as shown in these figures, there may be provided a body175 having a skirt 176 provided with internal screw threads 177 forsecuring the same to the upper end of a bottle or other container and incommon with the other forms of the invention, there may be provided ashoulder 178 for engaging the upper end of the bottle or other containerto seal the same against leakage of the contents. The upper pontion 179of the body 175 is reduced in diameter and provided thereon are externalthreads 180, the purpose of which will presently appear.

As in the previously described forms of the invention, there is provideda transverse partition 181 spaced inwardly from the upper end of theupper portion 179 of the body 175 and a vent opening 182 is provided inthe partition at one side thereof adjacent the sidewall of the body anda tube 183 extends inwardly from the partition 181, the tube 183 havinga tapered bore 184 in alignment with the vent opening 182. The opening185 at the inner end of the bore 184 is substantially smaller than thediameter of the vent opening 182, in order to prevent outward flow ofliquid or other material, as described above. A pouring spout 186 isprovided in alignment with a pouring opening 187 in the partition 181and the pouring spout 186 may be of any of the forms described above.There is also provided an outwardly extending flange 187 having a sharpedge and the upper surface 188 of the partition 181 is inclined from thesidewall of the upper portion 179 of the body 175 toward the ventopening 182 to direct liquid or other material to such opening.

A hollow cap 189 is provided with a top wall 190 and a sidewall 191 andthe sidewall 191 is provided with internal screw threads 192 forengaging the external screw threads 180 on the reduced upper portion 179of the body 175, in order to secure the cap 189 in place thereon, asshown in FIG. 22. This serves to close both the vent openings 182 andthe pouring spout 186.

In the form of the invention shown in FIGS. 23 and 24, there is provideda body 193 having a skirt 194 provided with internal screw threads 195for facilitating attachment of the same to a bottle or other container.Also provided on the body 193 is a shoulder 11% for engaging the upperend of the bottle or other container to seal the same against leakage ofthe contents. The upper portion 197 of the body 193 is reduced indiameter and spaced inwardly from the upper end thereof, is a transversepartition 198. Provided in the partition 193 adjacent the sidewall ofthe upper portion 197 is a vent opening 199 and disposed below the ventopening 199 is a tube 200 provided with a tapered bore 281 in alignmentwith the vent opening 199, the inner opening 282 of the bore 201 beingsubstantially smaller in diameter than the diameter of the vent opening199, in order to prevent outward flow of liquid or other material in themanner described above.

A pouring opening 293 is provided in the partition 198 adjacent thesidewall of the upper portion 197 of the body 193 opposite the ventopening 199 and extending upwardly from the partition 198 in alignmentwith the pouring opening 283 is a hooded pouring spout 284. The frontwall 205 of the pouring spout 294 is provided with a transverse groove205 and an outwardly extending lip 206 disposed in spaced relation tothe outer end 287 of the hood of the spout 284- to provide a dispensingaperture. As in the other forms of the invention, there is provided alip having a sharp edge and the upper surface 209 of the partition 198is inclined from the sidewall of 12 the upper portion 197 of the body193 toward the vent opening 199'.

A hollow cap 218 is provided with a top wall 211 and a sidewall 212 andthe cap 218 is hingediy secured to the body 193 by an integral flexiblestrap 213 which permits swinging movement of the cap 210* with relationto the body 193. Depending from the top wall 211 of the cap 218 is atapered plug 214 which, as shown in FIG. 24, is received in the ventopening 199 and tapered bore 201 to close the same when the cap is inclosed position and also depending from the top wall 211 of the cap 210is a sleeve 215 to be received over the pouring spout 284, as shown inFIG. 24, when the cap 216 is in closed position. The lower edge 217 ofthe sleeve 215 may be beveled to facilitate passage of the same over thepouring spout 204 during closing movement of the cap 218. The cap 210 isprovided with an internal eccentric recess 218 for receiving theeccentric shoulder 219 on the body 193 to releasably secure the cap 219in closed position, as described above in connection with the otherforms of the invention. In order to facilitate manipulation of the cap218, there may be provided an outwardly extending finger engagingprojection 22% on the sidewall 212.

With particular reference to FIGS. 25 and 26, there is shown acontainer, such as a bottle 222, having a neck 223 provided withexternal screw threads 224 and spaced from the inner ends 224 and inalignment therewith is a dimple 225.

A closure for the container 222 may take the form of any of thecombination closures and pouring devices described above, or may, ifdesired, merely comprise a closure cap and for simplicity ofexplanation, has been shown as comprising a body 228 for engaging thescrew threads 224 on the neck 223 of the container 222. The skirt 227 isalso provided with an internal recess 229 spaced from the end of thethread 228 and in alignment therewith.

The body 226 may be assembled with the container 222 by engaging thethreads 224 and 228 and relatively rotating the same to tighten the body226 of the closure on the container 222 until such time as the dimple225 snaps into the recess 229 which will serve to lock the body 226against the inadvertent movement relative to the container 222. Thislocking feature is particularly advantageous where the body 226 of theclosure is formed of certain plastics which are yieldable and have atendency to revert to their original form, if distorted duringapplication to the container, which in some instances, might result inloosening of the closure and permit leakage of the contents of thecontainer. However, by providing a locking feature, as described above,such loosening or relative movement between the closure and thecontainer is prevented.

Another modified form of the invention is shown in FIGS. 27, 28 and 29and in this form of the invention there is provided a generallycylindrical hollow body 238, simi lar to those described above and thebody 239 is provided with a skirt 231 having internal threads 232 forengaging the threads on the neck of a bottle and a shoulder 233 forengaging the upper end of the bottle neck to provide a seal. The upperportion 234 of the body 230 is reduced in diameter and spaced inwardlyfrom the upper end of the portion 234 is a partition 235. A vent tube236 depends from the partition 235 in alignment with a vent opening 237provided therein and the bore 238 in the tube 236 terminates at thelower end 239 in an opening substantially smaller than the vent opening237.

A relatively large pouring opening 240 and a pouring spout 2 11 integralwith the partition 235 extends upwardly in alignment with the pouringopening 240. The upper end of the spout 241 is closed by a hood 242 anda portion of the hood 242 and the front Wall 243 of the spout 241 is cutaway to provide a dispensing opening 244 which opens forwardly andupwardly. Spaced from the opening 244 is a groove 24-5 which extendssubstantially around the dispensing opening 244 and provides a ridge 13246 adjacent thereto and the ridge 246, together with the groove 245operates to provide a sharp cutoff for material being dispensed throughthe opening 244.

It is to be noted, that the hood 242 curves downwardly adjacent the edgeof the dispensing opening 244 to provide a recess 242' in the upper endof the spout 241. The purpose and operation of this recess 242' willpresently appear.

Provided on the upper end of the reduced portion 234 of the body 230, atthe front thereof, is an outwardly extending eccentric flange 247, theupper surface 248 of which is formed with a flat bevel inclineddownwardly and inwardly toward the partition 235. The upper surface 249of the partition 235 is inclined from the sidewall of the upper portion.234 of the body 230 toward the vent opening 237 and will serve todirect any liquid spilled from the pouring operation toward the ventopening 237 and through the bore 238 into the bottle or container towhich the device is attached. The flange 247 provides a lip having asharp edge and spaced below the lip is an eccentric shoulder 250 whichoperates in the same manner as that described above.

A cap 251 is provided with a top wall 252 and a sidewall 253 and the cap251 is hingedly attached to the body 230 by a strap 254 which serves topermit swinging movement between the cap 251 and the body 230.

Depending from the top wall 252 of the cap 251 is a tapered plug 255which is received in the vent opening 237 and bore 238 in the tube 236to close the same when the cap is in closed position and also dependingfrom the top wall 252 of the cap 251 is a sleeve 256 which, as shown inFIG. 28, is tightly received over the pouring spout 241 and inengagement with the ridge 246 to close the dispensing opening 244 andprevent leakage of liquids from the bottle or other container to whichthe device is applied. The lower end of the sleeve 256 may be beveled,as shown at 257, in order to facilitate passage of the same over theupper end of the pouring spout 241.

The sidewall 253 of the cap 251 is provided with an internal eccentricrecess 258 which serves to receive a shoulder 259 provided on the upperportion 234 of the body 230 below the eccentric flange 247. As shown inFIG. 28, this serves to releasably lock the cap 251 in closed positionon the body 230. In order to facilitate manipulation of the cap 251there may be provided an outwardly extending finger engaging projection260 on the sidewall 253.

The form of the invention shown in FIGS. 27, 28 and 29 operates in muchthe same manner as that described above, except that upon tilting of thebottle or other container to dispense material therefrom, such materialis directed outwardly and toward the side through the dispensing opening244 and the ridge 246 and groove 245 serves to prevent substantially alldrippage when the bottle or other container is returned to verticalposition. It also appears that the no-drip feature of the pouring spout241 is enhanced by a syphon or suction action in that, when the bottleor other container is returned to upright position, the material withinthe pouring spout 241 flowing back into the bottle appears to create asuction which tends to pull all material adjacent the dispensing opening244 back into the spout thereby preventing substantially all drippage.This syphon or suction action appears to be primarily due to theprovision of the recess 242. In the event there is any drippage from thepouring spout 241, the material will flow downwardly to'the uppersurface 249 of the partition 235 and due to the inclination thereofthrough the vent opening 237 and into the bottle or other container.

The form of the invention shown in FIGS. 30, 31 and 32 is substantiallyidentical with that shown in FIGS. 27, 28 and 29, except that thepouring spout 261 is provided with a complete hood 262, the outer edge263 of which is an alignment with the front wall 264 of the spout 261. Adispensing opening 265 is provided in the front wall 264 of the spout261 and the pouring opening 265 is surrounded by a ridge 266 and agroove 267 which operates in the same manner as that described above inconnection with FIGS. 27, 28 and 29. It is to be noted, that in thisform of the invention the downward curvature of the hood 262 provides arecess 262 in the upper end of the spout 241 which is substantiallylarger than the recess 242' in the upper end of spout 241 and thisenlarged recess materially increases the syphon or suction actiondescribed above.

A still further modified form of the invention is shown in FIGS. 33 and34 in which the structure of the body 268 and pouring spout 269 issubstantially identical to that shown in FIGS. 30 and 31, but it is tobe noted, that the vent tube 270 depends from the partition 271 adjacentthe center thereof and in close proximity to the base of the pouringspout 269'.

A cap 272 is provided with a top wall 273 and a sidewall 274 and the cap272 is hingedly connected to the body 268 by a strap 275, in a mannersimilar to that described above. A sleeve 276 depends from the top wall273 of the cap 272 and the sleeve 276, as shown in FIG. 34, closelysurrounds the pouring spout 269 when in closed position, to seal thesame against leakage and the lower edge of the sleeve 276 may bebeveled, as shown at 277, to facilitate passage thereof over the pouringspout 269. The rear wall 278 of the sleeve 276 is considerably thickerthan the front wall thereof and depending from this rear wall 278 is atapered plug 279 which enters the vent tube 270 when the cap 272 is inclosed position, as shown in FIG. 34, to close the vent tube 270 andprevent leakage of material therethrough.

The operation of the form of the invention shown in FIGS. 33 and 34 issubstantially the same as that described above in connection with theother forms of the invention, the main difference being in the formationof the sleeve for closing the pouring spout and the plug for closing thevent tube. The location of the vent tube at the center of the partition271 also facilitates handling and orientation of the device inautomatically applying the same to a container.

While the upper surf-ace of the partition in the body of the variousdevices of this invention has been shown as inclined from the sidewallof the body toward the vent opening, obviously, such upper surface mayif desired, be concave and furthermore, the flat bevel provided on theupper surface of the eccentric flange may be a continuation of theconcave or inclined upper surface of the partition. It is further to benoted, that the structure of the various forms of the invention provideda relatively simple flip top lid which may be conveniently manipulatedby the fingers of one hand grasping a bottle or other container by theneck thereof and the lid may be either opened or closed by such one handoperation thereby leaving the other hand free to perform otherfunctions. The invention as described above, provides a relativelysimple combination closure and pouring device which results in a minimumof spillage and drippage and which operates to return substantially allspillage, if any, to the interior of the container. The device alsoserves to provide a suitable seal to prevent leakage or evaporation ofthe contents of the container during periods between dispensing thereof.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes maybe made in the invention without departing from the spirit and scopethereof and therefore the invention is not limited by that which isshown in the drawing and described in the specification, but only asindicated in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A combination container closure and pouring device comprising agenerally cylindrical hollow body, means adjacent the lower end of saidbody for securing said body to the open end of a container, a transversepartition in said body spaced inwardly from the upper end, a relativelysmall vent opening in said partition, an inwardly extending tube on saidpartition below said vent opening, a tapered bore in said tube inalignment with said vent opening, the opening at the inner end of saidbore being substantially smaller than said vent opening, a relativelylarge pouring opening in said partition at the front adjacent thesidewall of said body opposite said vent opening, a cylindrical pouringspout closed at the upper end and extending upwardly in alignment withsaid pouring opening and integral with said partition, a dispensingaperture in the front sidewall of said spout adjacent the upper end, theupper surface of said partition being inclined from the sidewall of saidbody toward said vent opening, an outwardly extending eccentric flangeon the upper end of said body at the front adjacent said pouringopening, the ends of said flange merging into the sidewall of said body,the upper surface of said flange having a flat bevel inclined downwardlyand inwardly toward the upper surface of said partition and the lowersurface of said flange having an eccentric shoulder to provide a liphaving a sharp edge, a second outwardly extending shoulder at the lowerside of said flange adjacent the sidewall of said body, a hollow caphaving a top wall and a sidewall for surrounding the upper portion ofthe sidewall of said body when in closed position, a tapered plugdepending from said top wall to be received in said vent opening andbore to close the vent opening and bore, a sleeve depending from saidtop wall to tightly enclose said spout and close said aperture, aneccentric recess in the side wall of said cap for receiving said secondshoulder to releasably 'hold said cap in closed position and a flexiblestrap integral with said body and cap to provide a hinge permittingmovement of said cap to open or close said vent opening and aperture.

2. A combination container closure and pouring device comprising agenerally cylindrical hollow body, means adjacent the lower end of saidbody for securing said body to the open end of a container, a transversepartition in said body spaced inwardly from the upper end, a relativelysmall vent opening in said partition, an inwardly extending tube on saidpartition below said vent opening, a tapered bore in said tube inalignment with said vent opening, the opening at the inner end of saidbore being substantially smaller than said vent opening, a relativelylarge pouring opening in said partition at the front adjacent thesidewall of said body opposite said vent opening, a cylindrical pouringspout closed at the upper end and extending upwardly in alignment withsaid pouring opening and integral with said partition, a dispensingaperture in the front sidewall of said spout adjacent the upper end, theupper surface of said partition being inclined from the sidewall of saidbody toward said vent opening, an outwardly extending eccentric flangeon the upper end of said body at the front adjacent said pouringopening, the ends of said flange merging into the sidewall of said body,the upper surface of said flange being inclined downwardly and inwardlytoward the upper surface of said partition and the lower surface of saidflange having a shoulder to provide a lip having a sharp edge, a hollowcap having a top wall and a sidewall for surrounding the upper portionof the sidewall of said body when in closed position, a tapered plugdepending from said top Wall to be received in said vent opening andbore to close the vent opening and bore, a sleeve depending from saidtop wall to tightly enclose said spout and close said aperture and hingemeans connecting said body and cap to permit movement of said cap toopen or close said vent opening and aperture.

3. A combination container closure and pouring device comprising agenerally cylindrical hollow body, means adjacent the lower end of saidbody for securing said body to the open end of a container, a transversepartition in said body spaced inwardly from the upper end,

a relatively small vent opening in said partition, an inwardly extendingtube on said partition below said vent opening, a tapered bore in saidtube in alignment with said vent opening, the opening at the inner endof said bore being substantially maller than said vent opening, arelatively large pouring opening in said partition at the front adjacentthe sidewall of said body opposite said vent opening, a cylindricalpouring spout closed at the upper end and extending upwardly inalignment with said pouring opening and integral wtih said partition, adispensing aperture in the front sidewall of said spout adjacent theupper end, the upper surface of said partition being inclined from thesidewall of said body toward said vent opening, an outwardly extendingflange on the upper end of said body, the upper surface of said flangebeing inclined downwardly and inwardly toward the upper surface of saidpartition and the lower surface of said flange having a shoulder toprovide a lip having a sharp edge, a hollow cap having a top wall and asidewall for surrounding the upper portion of the sidewall of said bodywhen in closed position, a tapered plug depending from said top wall tobe received in said vent opening and bore to close the vent opening andbore, a sleeve depending from said top wall to tightly enclose saidspout and close said aperture and hinge means connecting said body andcap to permit movement of said cap to open or close said vent openingand aperture.

4. A combination container closure and pouring device comprising agenerally cylindrical hollow body, means adjacent the lower end of saidbody for securing said body to the open end of a container, a transversepartition in said body spaced inwardly from the upper end, a ventopening in said partition, an inwardly extending tube on said partitionbelow said vent opening, a tapered bore in said tube in alignment withsaid vent opening, the opening at the inner end of said bore beingsubstantially smaller than said vent opening, a pouring opening in saidpartition at the from adjacent the sidewall of said body opposite saidvent opening, a pouring spout closed at the upper end and extendingupwardly in alignment with said pouring opening and secured to saidpartition, a dispensing aperture in the front sidewall of said spout, anoutwardly extending flange on the upper end of said body, the upperSurface of said flange being inclined downwardly and inwardly toward theupper surface of said partition and the lower surface of said flangehaving a shoulder to provide a lip having a sharp edge, a hollow caphaving a top wall and a sidewall for surrounding the upper portion ofthe sidewall of said body when in closed position, a plug depending fromsaid top wall to be received in said vent opening and bore to close thevent opening and bore, a sleeve depending from said top wall to tightlyenclose said spout and close said aperture and hinge means connectingsaid body and cap to permit movement of said cap to open or close saidvent opening and aperture.

5. A combination container closure and pouring device comprising agenerally cylindrical hollow body, means adjacent the lower end of saidbody for securing said body to the open end of a container, a transversepartition in said body spaced inwardly from the upper end, a relativelysmall vent opening in said partition at the rear adjacent the sidewallof said body, an inwardly extending tube on said partition below saidvent opening, a tapered bore in said tube in alignment with said ventopening, the opening at the inner end of said bore being substantiallysmaller than said bent opening, a relatively large pouring opening insaid partition at the front adjacent the sidewall of said body oppositesaid vent, a cylindrical pouring spout having a curved hood at the upperend and extending upwardly in alignment with said pouring opening andintegral with said partition, a portion of the hood and wall of saidspout being cut away at the front to provide a dispensing aperture, aridge and groove surrounding said dispensing aperture, the upper surfaceof said partition being inclined from the sidewall of said body towardsaid vent opening, an outwardly extending eccentric flange on the upperend of said body at the front adjacent said pouring opening, the ends ofsaid flange merging into the sidewall of said body substantially midwaybetween said pouring opening and said vent opening, the upper surface ofsaid flange having a flat bevel inclined downwardly and inwardly towardthe upper surface of said partition and the lower surface of said flangehaving an eccentric shoulder to provide a lip having a sharp edge, asecond outwardly extending shoulder at the lower side of said flangeadjacent the sidewall of said body, a hollow cap having a top wall and asidewall for surrounding the upper portion of the side wall of said bodywhen in closed position, a tapered plug depending from said top wall tobe received in said vent opening and bore to close the vent opening andbore, a sleeve depending from said top wall to tightly enclose saidspout and close said aperture, an eccentric recess in the sidewall ofsaid cap for receiving said second shoulder to releasably hold said capin closed position, a finger engaging projection on the sidewall of saidcap and a flexible strap integral with said body and cap to provide ahinge permitting movement of said cap to open or close said vent openingand aperture.

6. A combination container closure and pouring device comprising agenerally cylindrical hollow body, means adjacent the lower end of saidbody for securing said body to the open end of a container, a transversepartition in said body spaced inwardly from the upper end, a ventopening in said partition at the rear adjacent the sidewall of saidbody, an inwardly extending tube on said partition below said ventopening, a tapered bore in said tube in alignment with said ventopening, the opening at the inner end of said bore being substantiallysmaller than said vent opening, a pouring opening in said partition atthe front adjacent the sidewall of said body opposite said vent opening,a pouring spout having a curved hood at the upper end and secured tosaid partition, a portion of the hood and wall of said spout being cutaway at the front to provide a dispensing aperture, an outwardlyextending flange on the upper end of said body, the upper surface ofsaid flange being inclined downwardly and inwardly toward the uppersurface of said partition and the lower surface of said flange having ashoulder to provide a lip having a sharp edge, a hollow cap having a topwall and a sidewall for surrounding the upper portion of the sidewall ofsaid body when in closed position, a plug depending from said top wallto be received in said vent opening and bore ot close the vent openingand bore, a sleeve depending from said top wall to tightly enclose saidspout and close said aperture and hinge means connecting said body andcap to permit movement of said cap to open or close said vent openingand aperture.

7. A combination container closure and pouring device comprising acylindrical hollow body, means adjacent the lower end of said body forsecuring said body to the open end of a container, a transversepartition in said body spaced inwardly from the upper end, a relativelysmall vent opening in said partition at the rear adjacent the sidewallof said body, an inwardly extending tube on said partition below saidvent opening, a tapered bore in said tube in alignment with said ventopening, the opening at the inner end of said bore being substantiallysmaller than said vent opening, a relatively large pouring opening insaid partition at the front adjacent the sidewall of said body oppositesaid vent opening, a cylindrical pouring spout having a curved hood atthe upper end and extending upwardly in alignment with said pouringopening and integral with said partition, the sidewall of said spout atthe front terminating in spaced relation to said hood to provide adispensing aperture, an outwardly extending pouring lip on the upperedge of the sidewall of said spout below said hood, an enlargement onthe sidewall of said spout below said pouring lip in spaced relationthereto, the upper surface of said partition being inclined from thesidewall of said body toward said front opening, an outwardly extendingeccentric flange on the upper end of said body at the front adjacentsaid pouring opening, the ends of said flange merging into the sidewallof said body substantially midway between said pouring opening and saidvent opening, the upper surface of said flange having a flat bevelinclined downwardly and inwardly toward the upper surface of saidpartition and the lower surface of said flange having an eccentricshoulder to provide a lip having a sharp edge, a second extendingshoulder at the lower side of said flange adjacent the sidewall of saidbody, a hollow cap having a top wall and a sidewall for surrounding theupper portion of the sidewall of said body when in closed position, atapered plug depending from said top wall to be received in said ventopening and bore to close the vent opening and bore, a sleeve depend ingfrom said topwall to tightly enclose said spout and the enlargementthereon and close said aperture, an eccentric recess in the sidewall ofsaid cap for receiving the second shoulder on the sidewall of said bodyto releasably hold said cap in closed position, a finger engagingprojection on the sidewall of said cap and a flexible strap integralwith said body and cap to provide a hinge permitting movement of saidcap to open or close said vent opening and aperture.

8. A combination container closure and pouring device comprising agenerally cylindrical hollow body, means adjacent the lower end of saidbody for securing said body to the open end of a container, a transversepartion in said body spaced inwardly from the upper end, a vent openingin said partition at the rear adjacent the sidewall of said body, aninwardly extending tube on said partition below said vent opening, atapered bore in said tube in alignment with said vent opening, theopening at the inner end of said bore being substantially smaller thansaid vent opening, a pouring opening in said partition at the frontadjacent the sidewall of said body opposite said vent opening, a pouringspout having a curved hood at the upper end and extending upwardly inalignment with said pouring opening and secured to said partition, thesidewall of said spout at the front terminating in spaced relation tosaid hood to provide a dispensing aperture, an outwardly extendingpouring lip on the upper edge of the sidewall of said spout below saidhood, an enlargement on the sidewall of said spout below said pouringlip in spaced relation thereto, an outwardly extending flange on theupper end of said body, the upper surface of said flange being inclineddownwardly and inwardly toward the upper surface of said partition andthe lower surface of said flange having a shoulder to provide a liphaving a sharp edge, a hollow cap having a top wall and a sidewall forsurrounding the upper portion of the sidewall of said body when inclosed position, a tapered plug depending from said top wall to bereceived in said vent opening and bore to close the vent opening andbore, a sleeve depending from said top wall to tightly enclose saidspout and the enlargement thereon and close said aperture and hingemeans connecting said body and cap to permit movement of said cap toopen or close said vent opening and aperture.

9. A combination container closure and pouring device comprising agenerally cylindrical hollow body, means adjacent the lower end of saidbody for securing said body to the open end of a container, a transversepartition in said body spaced inwardly from the upper end, a relativelysmall vent opening in said partition at the rear adjacent the sidewallof said body, an inwardly extending tube on said partition below saidvent opening, a tapered bore in said tube in alignment with said ventopening, the opening at the inner end of said bore being substantiallysmaller than said vent opening, a relatively large pouring opening insaid partition at the front adjacent the sidewall of said body oppositesaid vent, a cylindrical pouring spout having a curved hood at the upperend and extending upwardly in alignment with said pouring opening andintegral with said partition, a circular dispensing aperture in thefront wall of said spout adjacent said hood, a ridge and groovesurrounding said dispensing aperture, the front upper edge of said hoodbeing curved downwardly to provide a recess in the upper end of saidspout, the upper surface of said partition being inclined from thesidewall of said body toward said vent opening, an outwardly extendingeccentric flange n the upper end of said body at the front adjacent saidpouring opening, the ends of said flange merging into the sidewall ofsaid body substantially midway between said pouring opening and saidvent opening, the upper surface of said flange having a flat bevelinclined downwardly and inwardly toward the upper surface of saidpartition and the lower surface of said flange having an eccentricshoulder to provide a lip having a sharp edge, a second outwardlyextending shoulder at the lower side of said flange adjacent thesidewall of said body, a hollow cap having a top wall and a sidewall forsurrounding the upper portion of the sidewall of said body when inclosed position, a tapered plug depending from said top wall to bereceived from said vent opening and bore to close the vent opening andthe bore, a sleeve depending from said top wall to tightly close saidspout and close said aperture, an eccentric recess in the sidewall ofsaid cap for receiving said second shoulder to releasably hold said capclosed position, a finger engaging projection on the sidewall of saidcap and a flexible strap integral with said body and cap to provide ahinge permitting movement of said cap to open or close said vent openingand aperture.

10. A combination container closure and pouring device comprising agenerally cylindrical hollow body, means adjacent the lower end of saidbody for securing said body to the open end of a container, a transversepartition in said body spaced inwardly from the upper end, a relativelysmall vent opening in said partition, an inwardly extending tube on saidpartition below said vent opening, a tapered bore in said tube inalignment with said vent opening, the opening at the inner end of saidbore being substantially smaller than said vent opening, a relativelylarge pouring opening in said partition at the front adjacent thesidewall of said body opposite said vent opening, a cylindrical pouringspout having a curved hood at the upper end extending upwardly inalignment with said pouring opening and integral with said partition, adispensing aperture in the front wall of said spout adjacent said hood,a ridge and groove surrounding said dispensing aperture, the front upperedge of said hood being curved downwardly to provide a recess in theupper end of said spout, the upper surface of said partition beinginclined from the sidewall of said body toward said vent opening, anoutwardly extending flange on the upper end of said body, the uppersurface of said flange being inclined downwardly and inwardly toward theupper surface of said partition and the lower surface of said flangehaving a shoulder to provide a lip having a sharp edge, a hollow caphaving a top wall and a sidewall for surrounding the upper portion ofthe sidewall of said body when in closed position, a tapered plugdepending from said top wall to be received in said vent opening andbore to close the vent opening and bore, a sleeve depending from saidtop wall to tightly enclose said spout and close said aperture and hingemeans connecting said body and cap to permit movement of said cap toopen or close said vent opening and aperture.

11. A combination container closure and pouring device comprising agenerally cylindrical hollow body, means adjacent the lower end of saidbody for securing said body to the open end of a container, a transversepartition in said body spaced inwardly from the upper end, a relativelysmall vent opening in said partition, an

s, o 59', e 1a inwardly extending tube below said vent opening, atapered bore in said tube in alignment with said vent opening, theopening at the inner end of said bore being substantially smaller thansaid vent opening, a relatively large pouring opening in said partitionadjacent said vent opening, a cylindrical pouring spout having a curvedhood at the upper end and extending upwardly in alignment with saidpouring opening and integral with said partition, a portion of the hoodand wall of said spout being cut away at the front to provide adispensing aperture, a ridge and groove surrounding said dispensingaperture, the upper surface of said partition being inclined from thesidewall of said body toward said vent opening, an outwardly extendingeccentric flange on the upper end of said body at the front adjacentsaid pouring opening, the ends of said flange merging into the side wallof said body, the upper surface of said flange having a flat bevelinclined downwardly and inwardly toward the upper surface of saidpartition and the lower surface of said flange having an eccentricshoulder to provide a lip having a sharp edge, a second outwardlyextending shoulder at the lower side of said flange adjacent thesidewall of said body, a hollow cap having a top wall and a sidewall forsurrounding the upper portion of the sidewall of said body when inclosed position, a sleeve depending from said top wall to tightlyenclose said spout and close said aperture, a tapered plug integral withsaid sleeve to be received in said vent opening and bore to close thevent opening and bore, an eccentric recess in the sidewall of said capfor receiving said second shoulder to releasably hold said cap in closedposition, a finger engaging projection on the sidewall of said cap and aflexible strap integral with said body and cap to provide a hingepermitting movement of said cap to open or close said vent opening andaperture.

12. A combination container closure and pouring device comprising agenerally cylindrical hollow body, means adjacent the lower end of saidbody for securing said body to the open end of a container, a transversepartition in said body spaced inwardly from the upper end, a ventopening in said partition, an inwardly extending tube on said partitionbelow said vent opening, a tapered bore in said tube in alignment withsaid vent opening, the opening at the inner end of said bore beingsubstantially smaller than said vent opening, a pouring opening in saidpartition adjacent said vent opening, a pouring spout having a curvedhood at the upper end and extending upwardly in alignment with saidpouring opening and secured to said partition, a portion of the hood andwall of said spout being cut away at the front to provide a dispensingaperture, an outwardly extending flange on the upper end of said body,the upper surface of said flange being inclined downwardly and inwardlytoward the upper surface of said partition and the lower surface of saidflange having a shoulder to provide a lip having a sharp edge, a hollowcap having a top wall and a sidewall for surrounding the upper portionof the sidewall of said body when in closed position, a sleeve dependingfrom said top wall to tightly enclose said spout and close saidaperture, .a plug integral with said sleeve and extending below the sameto be received in said vent opening and bore to close the vent openingand bore and hinge means connecting said body and cap to permit movementof said cap to open or close said vent opening and aperture.

13. A combination container closure and pouring device comprising agenerally cylindrical hollow body, means adjacent the lower end of saidbody for securing said body to the open end of a container, a transversepartition in said body adjacent its upper end, a pouring opening in saidpartition, a non-collapsible pouring spout closed at its upper end andextending upwardly in alignment with said pouring opening and fixedlysecured to said partition, a dispensing aperture in the front sidewallof said spout permanently located clearingly above said body, vent meansin said body, a hollow cap having a top wall and a side wall forsurrounding the upper portion of said body when in closed position,means for releasably locking said cap to said body in closed position,and sleeve-like means within said cap radially inwardly of said sidewall and extending to said cap top wall and frictionally engaging thespout and frictionally and sealingl encircling said spout and sealingsaid dispensing aperture when said cap is in closed position.

14. A combination container closure and pouring device comprising agenerally cylindrical hollow body, means adjacent the lower end of saidbody for securing said body to the open end of a container, a transversepartition in said body adjacent its upper end, a vent opening in saidpartition, an inwardly extending tube on said partition below said ventopening, a tapered bore in said tube in alignment with said ventopening, the opening at the inner end of said bore being substantiallysmaller than said vent opening, a pouring opening in said partition atthe front adjacent the side wall of said body opposite said ventopening, a pouring spout closed at its upper end and extending upwardlyin alignment with said pouring opening and secured to said partition, adispensing aperture in the front side wall of said spout, a hollow caphaving a top wall and a side wall for surrounding the upper portion ofthe side Wall of said body when in closed position, means for releasablylocking said cap to said body in closed position, a plug depending fromsaid top wall to be received in said vent opening and bore to close thesame when said cap is in closed position, and means within said capfrictionally and sealingly encircling said spout and sealing saiddispensing aperture when said cap is in closed position.

15. A combination container closure and pouring device comprising agenerally cylindrical hollow body, means adjacent the lower end of saidbody for securing said body to the open end of a container, a transversepartition in said body adjacent its upper end, a pouring opening in saidpartition, a non-collapsible pouring spout closed at its upper end andextending upwardly in alignment with said pouring opening and fixedlysecured to said partition, a dispensing aperture in the front side wallof said spout permanently located clearingly above said body, vent meansin said body, an outwardly extending flange on the upper end of saidbody, the upper surface of said flange being inclined downwardly andinwardly toward the upper surface of said partition and the lowersurface of said flange having a shoulder to provide a lip having a sharpedge, vent means in said body, a hollow cap having a top wall and a sidewall for surrounding the upper portion of said body when in closedposition, means for releasably locking said cap to said body in closedposition, and sleeve-like means within said cap radially inwardly ofsaid side wall and extending to said cap top wall and frictionallyengaging the spout and frictionally and sealingly encircling said spoutand sealing said dispensing aperture when said cap is in closedposition.

16. In a pouring device for attachment to the top of a bottle forpouring liquid therefrom, a pouring spout having a bore and an elongatedtubular peripheral wall having an open bottom and having a transversetop closure wall, said peripheral wall having a dispensing apertureextending to said top wall, said. bore being of generally uniformdiameter throughout its length, the edge of said dispensing aperturebeing smooth and thin and approximately bore-sized, the inner surface ofsaid top wall having a concave, dome-shaped recess located substantiallyabove the level of said aperture, the wall of said recess extending fromthe uppermost part of said recess smoothly downwardly to the upper partof the edge of said dispensing aperture, said recess merging smoothlywith the bore wall of said spout, the Wall of said bore to either sidecircumferentially of said aperture curving concavely and smoothlyradially inwardly in the direction toward said top wall, said pouringdevice having vent means, said bore, recess and aperture being sized andshaped to permit an unbroken, non-turbulent stream of liquid to flowthrough said spout to said aperture with the liquid completely fillingsaid bore and said aperture while said spout is tilted for pouring, saidpouring device being thereby effective upon return of said pouringdevice from tilted to upright position to retain the last drop of liquidfrom passing out through said aperture.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,060,258 Javins Apr. 29, 1913 1,986,248 Bowlzer Jan. 1, 1935 2,138,936Osterberg Dec. 6, 1938 2,314,167 Shaw Mar. 16, 1943 2,593,607 PruettApr. 22, 1952 2,601,039 Livingstone June 17, 1952 2,625,306 Murphy Jan.13, 1953 2,690,861 Tupper Oct. 5, 1954 2,812,120 Beall Nov. 5, 1957

